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Ethnological, anthropological, philosophical and philological studies, along with contributions of Religious Studies, have long ago identified a set of myths and rites which seem to defy history and cultural bars, that is, which go far beyond the time and space framework from which they came. This paper shows how some of these archetypes are present in African cultures, notwithstanding the hermeneutical prejudices some European scholars showed about them. A particular attention will be displayed on rites. Considering the vastness and richness of African cultures, the paper will focus on just some Northern Africa and Sub-Saharan cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]